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The Federalists and Antifederalists Debates During the 1780s and 1790s Essay Example

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The Federalists and Antifederalists Debates During the 1780s and 1790s Essay Example
The Federalists and Antifederalists Debates during the 1780s and 1790s

The American Government has come along way since the American Revolution. The Revolutionary War spawned from America's determination to break free from the British Empire and its monarchy and develop a more democratic form of government. During the revolution, America was looking for a more decentralized form of power and ratified The Articles of Confederation, which divided the majority of the power between the states. The Articles of Confederation had been essential for getting the country through war, but after the war ended, it became apparent that its limitations of governing would be insufficient for leading this developing nation. The Constitutional Convention was developed in 1787 and was left with the responsibility of ratifying a new constitution that would best fit the new country. Controversies over the constitution ultimately caused a separation between the public. This separation resulted in the country's first political parties, the Federalists and the Antifederalists. The two groups engaged in numerous debates concerning the ratification of the Constitution as well as the Alien and Sedition Acts. Each argued for what they felt was in the best interest of the country and each had clear and legitimate reasons backing their opinions. During the debates over ratification of the new constitution, each party's stance was clear. The Federalists preferred a strong central government, while the Antifederalists favored a more decentralized form of government. The Federalists believed that a strong centralized government was needed to insure the liberty and security of the people. They felt that the separation of power between the states was too unstable to run the country properly. With the many different conflicts that would arise from such a large division of power, the public's best interest would be overlooked. They also felt that it was the unity of the public's

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